HSPG2 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Subsequently, the effect of HCC-MSCs or their derived exosomes on HCC malignant cellular functions was investigated, which revealed that both co-culture of HCC-MSCs and their derived exosomes improved proliferation (Figure 1A), invasion (Figures 1B, C), and sphere formation ability (Figures 1D, E) while inhibiting apoptosis (Figures 1F, G) in Huh7 and PLC cells (all p < 0.05).